Category Archives: Spring in Colorado

Hi, I’m Sam Phillips. I’ve lived in Peakview for almost fifty years, I guess that means I’m getting old. My wife, Vickie and I live in the big white house on main street, right next door to Sophie’s Choice Bookstore.

What do you do in Peakview?

I own Sam’s Hardware. We sell a little bit of everything. There aren’t any big box store in our county, so we’re it. For the past year since, Kelly became the store manager, we branched out, carrying more household items and a greater selection of clothing. I’m an attorney and also run a law practice in Peakview. For years, I was the only attorney in town, but now Cindy Welch practices here, too. She’s been a great help now that I spend half of the year in Tumbleweed, Wyoming, my wife’s home town.

How long have you and Vickie been married?

We’re newlyweds, really. We’ve only been married a year. When my first wife, Alice, passed, I thought I’d spend the rest of my days alone, and then Vickie came into my life. Quite unexpectedly, I might add. In a short time, she’d turned my world upside down–in a good way.

Do you have any other family in Peakview?

My family has grown in the past year. There’s my Daughter, Nicole, and her new husband, Rick Brady. Now there’s Vickie’s son Hank, his wife Melanie, and their daughters, Sophie and Marissa. Melanie is pregnant, so there’ll be another grandchild soon. There’s also Vickie’s daughter, Gloria and her husband, Pete and their four boys in Tumbleweed. That’s the main reason we spend winter’s there. Oh and I can’t leave out my miniature Aussie, Marshall. He’s one on the family.

What’s the one thing you’d like us to know about Peakview, Colorado?

Its just a great place, full of wonderful, kind neighbors. I can’t imagine a better place on earth. Not only are the people great, but the scenery is spectacular. Our little community has grown a lot over the past few years, but the newcomers quickly become one of us. That’s just the way we are.

Today I have the pleasure of talking to Peakview’s very own, Violet Crandall. Introduce yourself to us.

Hi! My name is Violet and I am the owner of Violet’s Café. The café is the center of our small town of around 150 full time residents.

How Long have you owned and run the café?

Goodness, for almost 40 years now. My former husband, Stan, rest his soul, and I came to Peakview right after college and opened this place. The rest is history. Sadly, I lost Stan ten years ago, but I’ve continued on with the restaurant he loved. And now, of course, I have my Howard. God has blessed me twice.

What can you tell us about Peakview?

We’ve got the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. We’re really just one big family. Not a soul here who won’t help out his neighbor. I love helping people. In fact, I’m known as quite the matchmaker. I can spot a connection from a mile away. Most of the folks here have me to thank for their happy relationships. Frankly, I don’t know what they’d do without me. This place would probably shrivel up and die, but instead the town is growing. I might add that many of the new babies we have here, would never have been conceived without a little nudge from me. Have you seen that little Bronco Walker? What a cute child.

Any thoughts about retiring?

Heavens no. I don’t want to just sit around and play bridge all day. Howard suggested we might want to look into heading south for the winters. I told him I’m not that old yet. This old girl has a lot of good years left in her. I’ll be around for a while.

Thank you for being my guest today, any final thoughts you want to leave us with?

If you find yourself in Peakview County, please stop by the café and say hello. There’s a good chance some of your favorite characters will be hanging out. It’s a special place. Oh, and if you want to know anything that’s going on in Peakview, leave a comment below and I’ll answer all your questions. Nothing gets by me.

I love Spring! Flowers, warm temperatures, and the hope of new beginning and summer to follow. In Colorado, however, it is always such an up and down ride. 80 degrees and sunshine one day, snow and 20 degrees the next. And so it goes back and forth through March, April, and sometimes even May. Just when you get out your shorts and flip-flops for good, you have to reach back in the closet for snow boots and mittens.

In January this year my daughter and I scheduled a horseback riding weekend trip to the mountains for the third weekend in March. I know, very risky. March came in like a lamb, with temperatures in the mid-70’s the first two weekends. I waited for the other shoe to drop. And sure enough, the night before we were to leave, the snow started falling intensely. We made it to the ranch, where we spent the day Saturday on horseback, in the cold, below freezing weather saved only by layers and layers of warm clothes and those wonderful little hand warmer packets stuffed in our mittens and boots. No bright Colorado sunshine to be seen. But as happens, Sunday morning dawned with dark blue sky and the temp quickly warmed to the 50’s. Boy did we appreciated the warmth. A great time was had, despite the changes in the weather. And I got some magnificent pictures.